Event: Program: The Wisconsin River is Flowing Backwards!

Please join us for our monthly program series, “We Are Sauk Prairie” on Thursday, January 18th at 6:30pm, Ruth Culver Community Library, 540 Water Street, Prairie du Sac.

Our special guest is Dr. Eric Carson from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey & UW-Extension in Madison. The title of his talk is: “TheRiver That Flows Uphill: Geologic Evolution of the Lower Wisconsin River.” Dr. Carson has compelling evidence that the Wisconsin River flowed easterly at what is now Prairie du Chien. Imagine!

Here is a synopsis of his presentation.

The lower Wisconsin River valley cuts across the ‘Driftless Area’, the portion of southwest Wisconsin that was never covered by glaciers. This ancient landscape contains evidence that the westward-flowing lower Wisconsin River occupies a valley that was carved millions of years ago by an eastward-flowing river. The ancient river flowed east into the Atlantic Ocean, but was ‘pirated’ to become part of Mississippi River as we know it today. This new research finding is a key component to understanding how glaciers reorganized river systems across the entire mid-continent of North America.

The “We Are Sauk Prairie” series is generously supported by a grant from Alliant Energy Foundation. Our monthly programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments are served starting at 6:15pm. We hope you will join us!